Method of utilizing an expansive force.



H. A. HUMPHREY'. METHOD OF UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911. 1,084,340.

Patented Jan; 13, 1914.

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4 SHEETS-$HEET 1.

H' M Arron/15% H. A. HUMPHREY. METHOD OF UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31.1911

1,084,340, Patented Jan. 13. 1914.

4 SH EETSSHEET 2.

m v Q W Q w W H WITNHSES: INVENTOR H. A. HUMPHREY. METHOD OF UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911.

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H. A. HUMPHREY. METHOD OF UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORGE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1911.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

4 TTORHEY.

To all whom it may concern:

- UN STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY, OF LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 HUMPHREY GAS PUMP COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METHOD OF UTILIZING AN EXPANSIVE FORCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Application filed m 31, 1911. Serial No. 630,398.

'Be'it'kno'wIi that I, HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHBEY, a subject of the Kin of Great Britain, residing in London, England, have inve'nteda new and useful Method of Utilizing an Expansive Force, of which the following is a specification.

My rnventlon relates to improvements in the art-or method of utilizing an expansive force, {such for example as the expansive force of an'ignited combustible charge un- 1 der pressure.

My object is to provide an improved method 1 whereby this expansive force ma be utilized l5 in causing the reciprocation o a body of liquid, the movement in onedirection of said reciprocation being due to .said' expansive force, and utilizing the momentum of the liquid body in both directions whereby liquid is delivered to a greater head, or

1 energy is stored,-fresh liquidis entrained,

burnt roducts are expelled and a fresh expansib e chargeis'entrained and compressed.

' The invention is especially applicable to pumps, compressors, or other internal com- 'bustlon engines.

' "This invention especially relates to' the 'method whereby the combustible mixture may be introduced into the combustion chamber under a considerable pressure.

"This ;is a modification of the methods de-' iscribed in a number of applications now pending in the United States Patent Ofiice I for example, application of Humphrey and Cerasoli, Serial No. 388,902, filed August 16,

1907, and a plication to .me Serial No. 438,425 filed une 13, 1908.

I have found that in some of the methods employed by me the number of cycles in a given time may be limited by certain conditions, such. as the rate of fall of liquid in thecombustion chamber while taking in a .fresh combustible charge, or by the difiiculty in passing into the chamber sufficient combustible mixture when supplied at about atmospheric pressure. A more rapid worlc and certain other advantages are obtamed by supplying the combustible mixture under a considerable pressure, and I have shown in the said specifications how air vessels fitted with suitable valves and in 'vantages of placing the combustible mixture under considerable pressure is that this pressure can be utilized to shorten the period of the cycle.

My present invention comprises the method and means whereby is utilized an outward movement of the liquid to compress an elastic fluid, for example, a combustible mixture or a constituent thereof, some of which is supplied under pressure to act upon the combustion chamber end of the column of liquid and'some of which is allowed to act upon the opposite end of the column. Thus a portion of the said compressed fluid may be stored and subsequently admitted to the combustion chamber or chambers while the rest of the compressed fluid is allowed to expand after the outwardly flowing column has come to rest, and so produce or assist an inward flow.

In practice I generally use an air vessel such as those referred to above, which I usually fit with a downwardly projecting pipe carrying at its lower end a valve adapted to close by impact of liquid. This chamber may serve the additional purpose of acting as a pump chamber for taking in and discharging under pressure combustible mixture to be delivered to the combustion chamber.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate merely by way of example, apparatus whereby the methods herein described may be efl'ectedFigure 1 is a vertical section of apparatus adapted for effecting my method, in which two combustion and expansion chambers are used. Fig. 2 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portions of two combustion chambers, with the location of the valves slightly modified, showing the method for operating and controlling the valves. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, on a still larger scale, of the upper portion of one combustion chamber showing modifications in the valve arrangements and a modification of part of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 in which a compressor chamber is used.

. Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to Fig. 1 the combustion chambers 1 and 2 are of the usual type described in some of my prior pending applications. The supply of liquid is taken in from the sup- 1 ply tank 3 through non-return inlet valves 4. The liquid is caused, by the expansion of combustible mixtures in combustion chambers 1 and 2, to move along the play pipe 7, and to discharge throughthe non-return delivery valves 5, leaving the apparatus at outlet 6 against the head or pressure to which the liquid is to be raised or forced. The play pipe 7 communicates with the air vessel 8, which, in the present case, is adapted to contain gas and air mixture. Play pipe 7 also communicates through the nonreturn delivery valves 5 with the second air vessel 9. This second vessel 9 should have sufficient capacity to maintain the discharge from 6 as regular as may be desired. The air vessel 8 is provided with the inlet valve 10, normally held closed by its light spring.

11, but adapted to open under suction. Air vessel 8 is also provided with a valve 12 which is adapted to open under its own weight and may be closed by the impact of theliquid rising in vessel 8, that is, if the liquid rises to a suflicintly high level to en- 7 counter said valve. The pipe 14 connects 86 vessel 8 with reservoir 15, and combustion chambers 1 and 2 with reservoir 15. The pipe 14 is provided with a non-return valve 13 located between the reservoir 15 and valve 12 in vessel 8. Vessel 8 is also provided with' a downwardly extending pipe 17- provided with slots 18 opening into chamber 19. The lower end of this pipe 17 is provided with valve 16 adapted to open under its own weight and to be closed bythe impact or pressure of liquid thereon. Pipe 17 has a vertical adjustment in vessel 8, and is x moved by means of the hand wheel 20 and screw 21 threaded in the upper wall 22 on chamber 19. Chamber 19 is connected v 1' through openings 23 and 24 with suitable conductors for introducing the constituents of a'combustible mixture such as gas and air. The reservoir 15 for compressed combustible mixture is preferably connected by a threeway cock 28, with a pipe 26 for the admission of liquid and a pipe 27 for the rejection thereof, so that by admitting liquid or discharging it the capacity of the reservoir 15 ,for storing combustible mixture may be va- 1 ried. The pipes 14 and their branches serve J;o convey the combustible mixture from reservoir 15 to the admission valves29 and 30, fitted respectively to the two combustion chambers 1 and 2. These combustion cham- ,bers 1 and 2 are provided with the usual that valves 4, 29, 30, 31 and 32 are closed,

the cycle commences by ignition of thef} charge in chamber 2. Combustion and expansion occur, the column of liquid is thereby forced outwardly along pipe 7 and acquires momentum. As the gases expand in chamber 2 the pressure fallsin both chambers, and a moment occurs when the pressure in chamber 1 is equal to that of the compressed mixture in reservoir 15, and this moment may be advantageously chosen to open valve 29 and establish communication between chamber 1 and reservoir 15. As

expansion in chamber 2 continues, the-combustible mixture enters chamber 1 and is forced downward, thus assisting in the outward propulsion of liquid in pipe 7. It is generally desirable to close valve 29 before expansion in chamber 2 is complete, and before the pressure in vessel 8 is high enough to open valve 13. Suppose gthat valve 29 is closed for example, at two, at-

mospheresgage pressure, then the last part b of expansion occurs after communication with reservoir 15 has been cut off and the pressure falls low enough in both chambers 1 and 2 to permit an intake of fresh liquid through valves 4, and to allow exhaust valve- 32 to open under its own weight in the manner already explained in my application No. 438,427 filed June 13, 1908. Considering what occurs at the other end of pipe. 7, and assuming that the level of liquid in vessel 8 was at a a..when the outward motion of the liquid column started, then while the level rises to that at which the liquid shuts valve 16, the work done upon the column Will have been converted into kinetic energy, for there is practically no resistance offered to the rising liquid while driving combustible mixture past valve 16, through pipe 17 slots 18 and openings 23 and 24 tollzed in forcing liquid into vessel 9 until the movement of the column ceases. It is not intended that the liquid should rise high enough in vessel 8 to shut valve 12 and the latter is rather a safety device to insure a cushion of elastic gases being retained in vessel 8. The cycle has now arrived at that stage when chamber 1 contains combustible mixture and chamber 2 contains burntproducts. The exhaust valve 32 is open and the pressure in bothchambers is approximately atmospheric. In the upper part of vessel 8 there remains some combustible mixture compressed at the pressure at which the liquid is delivered. Thus there is a higher pressure acting upon the liquid in vessel 8 than exists inchambers 1 and 2, and the column of liquid in pipe 7 is forced to return to the chambers. As the iiquid column returns, the pressure falls in vessel 8, but; valve 13 prevents any return of mixture, from reservoir 15, and valves 5 prevent any 5 return of liquid from vessel 9. When the; pressure falls to approximately atmospheric pressure, valve 10 opens against its own} light spring, and gas and air are drawn into 5 vessel 8, as the liquid leaves it. Valve 165 also opens, and, when uncovered by the liqi uid, some of the mixture may enter past; this valve. Meanwhile-the liquid in pipe 7, being drawn toward chambers 1 and 2,I first rises in chamber 2, displacing burnt roducts therefrom until it reaches the exaust valve 32 and shuts it. The liquid then rises in chamber 1, compressing the combustible charge therein, until the column of liquid has expended its energy and has come to rest... Everything is then ready to starti. a fresh cycle, by the ignition of the com-i pressed charge in chamber 1: The func-' tions in chambers 1 and 2 in this fresh cycle are reversed' from that in the preceding cycle. i In Fig. 2 is illustrated one type of valvegear for controlling the ignition and exhaust valves on the combustion chambers 1 and 2, so that their operation may conform with the cycle described above. The compressed combustible mixture is supplied through pipe 14, to branches 33 and 34, and thus to the admission valves 29 and 30. On the stem of valve 29 there is one sliding collar 35, and

three fixed collars 36, 37 and 38. On the stem of valve 30 are corresponding collars 39, 40, 41 and 42. The exhaust valve 31 has on its stem 21 fixed collar 43. The exhaust valve 32 has on its stem a fixed collar 44. Collars 43, 3'7, 41 and 44 are all adapted to be locked by a sliding bolt 45. Collars 38 and 42 areadapted to be locked by a sliding bolt 46. /Vhen bolt 45 has been moved to the left into the position shown in Fig. 2, parts of the bolt engaged under collars 43 and 41, locking these, but leaving collars 37 and 44 free to pass through apertures in the bolt, so that valves 29 and 32 will open. When bolt 45 is moved to the right, collars,

43 and 41 are released and collars 37 and 44 are locked. In a similar manner when bolt 46 has been moved to the left'into the position shown in Fig. 2, collar 38 is left free to move through an aperture in the bolt,

While collar 42 is locked. When bolt 46 is moved .to the right, collar 38 is locked and collar 42 is released.

With all the parts in the position shown in Fig. 2, vali e 31 is locked and valve 29 is free to open, since it is not locked by either bolt 45 or 46, valve 30 is'locked by both bolts 45 and 4G, and valve 32 is free to open, since it is not locked by bolt 45. The movements of the bolts are brought about by pressure changes in the combustion chamber, or chambers, transmitted through pipe 47 to a small cylinder 48*, in which slides a piston 49 having a piston rod 50 which passes through a gland in the bottom of the cylinder and is attached to a horizontal member casting 53. The movement of these plates is transmitted, through links 58 and 59, to bolts 46 and 45 respectively. Pivoted to the frame member 109 is a push rod 60, normally held in a vertical position by two equal springs61 and 62, attached to the rod. Push rod 60 is adapted to engage in either of two recesses 63 or 64 in the plate 54, according to the position of 54 when the push rod is carried downward by the rectangular frame, thus in the fixed downward movement of rod 60 the point of the rod slides into the recess 63, and thus turns the plate 54 so as to move bolt 46 to the right, and to leave plate 54 in such a position that when the rod 60 has been raised again and once from chamber-.2 to piston 49, and down ward by the spring 52, and al'so'by gravity, as the pressure in chamber 2 falls. If one upward movement of the frame moves bolt 45 to the left, the next upward movement moves it to the right, also'if one downward movement moves bolt 46 to the right the the same for each valve.

next downward movement moves it to the left. The movements of plate 54 occur when the pressure is below the pressure at which valves 29 and 30 close, and is still falling. The movements of plate 55 occur when the pressure is above the pressure at which valves 29 and 30 are open, and is still rising.

4 Returning to the admission valves 29 and 30, the mechanism about to be described is A spring 69, on the valve stem, tends to urge the loose collar 35 against the fixed collar 36, and so to hold up the valve with a sufiicient force to keep it shut when it has on its top side a pressure equal to the minimum pressure desired in the reservoir 15, and on its underside the minimum pressure which is reached in the combustion chamber. ThlS spring can however be put out of action so far as its effect on the valve is concerned, by being forced downward by lever 70 engaging a pin on collar 35. Lever 70 is operated by pressure Fig. 2, and thus compressing the spring 69- and separating the sliding collar. from communicated through passage -71 leading fromthe combustion chamber to cylinder 72.

'- "The piston 73 in cylinder 72 is linked to the lever 70. Thusv when the pressure in the combustion chamber exceeds a given amount, the iston 73 is forced upward mdving lever- 0 into the position shown in the'fixed collar 36. The castings 74, 75, 7 6' and 77, which are carried from the main apparatus have slots as shown, in which the bolts 45 and 46 can slide freely and which serve to guide and carry the bolts and to take the downward thrust on the latter when the valves are tending to open but are locked by the bolts. These castings have also vertical cylindrical bores which serve as guides on the several valve stems as shown.

The action of the gear can now be described. When'all the parts are as shown in Fig. 2, their positions are correct for starting the cycle, with an ignition of a compressed combustible charge in chamber 2.

' The pressure first rises and then as liquid is driven outwardly from the combustion chamber, expansion occurs until the pressure in chamber 1 reaches that of the previously compressed mixture in reservoir 15. This pressure acting on piston 73 is sufficient to compress spring 69, so that valve 29 is free to open and admit compressedcombustible mixture. This mixture continues to flow into chamber 1 from reservoir. 15 until spring 69 overcomes the pressure in piston 73 and raises collar 35 against fixed collar 36 and so closes the valve. The pressure continues to fall, and piston 49 falling to its lowest limit causes push rod 60 to move plate 54 and bolt 46 thus locking'valve 29 and releasing collar 42 on valve 30. When expansion reaches about atmospheric prespresses the charge in chamber 1. All the.

valves are now shut, and the rise of pressure lifts piston 49 to the limit imposed by stop 78 on piston rod 50, and causes push rod 65 to engage in recess 79 of plate 55 and so move bolt 45 to the right, thus releasing co1- lars 43 and 41 and locking collars 37 and 44. Consequently everything is ready for starting a fresh cycle by the ignition of a fresh charge in chamber 1. It will be notlced that in commencing this new cycle valves 30 and 3l are free, while valves 29 and 32 are locked, thus allowing the alternation in the functions ofchambers 1 and 2.

In the foregoing description, it has been assumed that valve 29 closed before the pressure in vessel8 (Fig. 1) was suflicient to open valve 13 against-the reduced pressure in thereservoir 15. Should, however, the conditions of operations be such that this is not the case, it becomes necessary to provide means for closing valve 12 as soon as the desired compression in the reservoir 15 is attained, and to maintain it closed until released by the closing of valve 29 or 30.

"Such means are so common and various and have been described in a number of my copending applications that a detailed de scription of the same inv this specification is thoughtto be superfluous. It is then impossible for any mixture to pass from ves'sel 8 to reservoir 15, while valves 29 and 30 are open. As the capacity of reservoir 15 is definite, and, in discharging into chambers 1 and 2, the pressure falls from a definite upper pressure to a definite lower pressure, the quantity of mixture entering either chamber is the same for each working stroke and remains constantuntil the capacityof reservoir 15 is varied by increasing or de creasing the liquid in it."-

lVhen the invention is to be employed in connection with an apparatus having a single combustion chamber, the latter may be connected with the pipe 7 and vessels 8 and 9 as in Fig. 1, but certain modifications are necessary. r

Fig. 3 shows the upper part of a combustion chamber 80. Pipe 14 and reservoir 15 are numbered to correspond with Fig. 1. Assuming the cycle to be startedby the ignition of a compressed charge in chamber 80,

the column of liquid is driven outwardly from the combustion chamber, and expansion occurs until the pressure falls in chamber 80.;to about atmospheric pressure, and

v:30 the chamber.

,5 the column. This return stroke exhausts the burnt products and shuts the exhaust valve, .whereupon reservoir 15 and chamber 80 are connected and a compressed charge passes into the chamber until the pressures are equalized. The connection is then closed and the charge in the chamber is compressed and a fresh cycle is started by its ignition.

One arrangement of valves and gear suitable for operating on the cycle just described is shown in Fig. 3, where 82 is the admission valve, 81 the exhaust valve, and 83 a valve for scavenging air. The exhaust valve 81 is adapted to be shut by impact and pressure of the liquid thereon as the liquid rises in Valve 81 carries on its stem an equilibrium type of valve, having two parts 84, 85, which close upon their respective seats when valve 81 opens, thus cutting off communication between pipe 14 and pipe .35 100. Also fixed on the stem of valve 81 is a pin adapted to engage in the slotted end of a crank lever 86, the ;,(f ,ther end of which is linked to a pawl 87 These parts are so arranged that when valve 81 closes, pawl 87 is withdrawn from beneath collar 88 on the stem of valve 82. A second pawl 89 is controlled by means of its arm 90 and by a small piston 91 sliding in a cylinder 92, which receives pressure from chamber 80 through a .35 cook 93.

The control of pawl 89 is as follows: Rod 94 attached to piston 91, extends through a guide 95 and is urged upward by a spring 96, compressed between a collar ,40 fixed to the rod and the top of the cylinder.

j-usted that rod 94 is held up until there is a slight vacuum beneath piston 91. Consequently as exhaust valve 81 tends to fall by its own weight, a little before atmospheric pressure is reached in chamber 80, this valve o ens a little before rod 94 falls. Thus pawl 8 is urged under collar 88 a little before pawl 89 is withdrawn from collar 88, so that valve 82 is locked by pawl 87 before being released by pawl 89; thus valve 82 is only permitted to open when exhaust valve 81 closes.

The operation of the gear may now be described :-Assuming ignition of the compressed charge to have occurred in chamber 80, when all the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3, expansion occurs and the outward movement of the column of-liquid compresses a fresh quantity of combustible mixture in reservoir 15 and pipes 14 and 100. Expansion continues and the pressure falls until valve 81 opens by its own weight, thus bringing equilibrium valves 84 and 85 onto their respective seats and cutting off communication between pipes 14 and 100. Shortly after this the continued movement of the column of liquid causes a further reduction of pressure and piston 91 falls releasing collar 88 which is now only held locked by pawl 87. The movement of the liquid column now draws in scavenging air through valve 83 which opens against a lightspring 101 until the column comes to rest when the spring closes the valve. The return movement of the column now begins and liquid rising in chamber 80 reaches exhaust valve 81 and shuts it, thus automatically opening the equilibrium valve and pen mitting communication between the reservoir 15 and pipe 100. Valve 82 at once opens since it is now released by both pawls and compressed mixture rushes into chamber 80 until the pressures on both sides of valve- 82 are practically equalized when spring 102 closes valve 82. The pressure in chamber 80 having in the meantime lifted piston 91 andcompressed spring 98, pawl 89 locks under collar 88 immediately valve 82 shuts. The inward movement of the column of liquid is now brought to rest by the compression of the charge in the top of chamber 80, and ignition of this compressed charge starts a fresh cycle. By adjusting the cock, 93, the action of piston 91 is made to lag behind somewhat, so that pawl 89 does not re .turn under collar 88 until after exhaust valve 81. has shut, and in fact, by gagging cook 93, the tension of spring 96 may be such that it would permit piston 91 to fall before a of the single vessel 8, or by adjusting the two corresponding valves when two vessels are used for compressing separately, the two constituents of the combustible mixture, the volume of elastic fluid remaining in vessel 8, or in the two vessels, as the case may be, at the moment when the outstroke of the liquid is completed, can be varied both absolutely and in relation to the volume of the reservoir 15, so that any desired proportionof the energy of combustion may be stored in such remaining compressed elastic fluid to effect the return stroke of the column toward the combustion chamber or chambers, and so cause the compression pressure attained to be variable at will.

One method of applying the invention to that type of air or other elastic fluid compressor, which is described in my application Serial No. 444,061 filed July 17, 1908 is illustrated in Fig. 4, in which the pump portion of the apparatus is omitted. In this case play-pipe 7 connects not only with vessel 8 as in Fig.

1 but also with a compressor chamber 103. This chamber is fitted w1th a pipe 104 for rejecting air, the pos1t1on' of which canbe' vertically adjusted and which carries at its lower part a valve 105 adapted to be closed by the rising liquid. The chamher is further fitted with an inlet valve 106 for elastic fluid, and discharge valves 107, 108, all operating in the usual manner.

Assuming that the lowest level reached by the liquid, in chambers 8 and 103, is that shown in Fig. 4, when explosion occurs in the pump portion of the apparatus, and the liquid is driven along pipe 7 toward the right, the levels in chambers 8 and 103 rise simultaneously, and combustible mixture is rejected from vessel 8 until valve 16 is shut and air is rejected from chamber 103 until valve 105 is shut. Compression then occurs, and from chamber 8 compressed mixture is delivered into reservoir 15 (see Fig. 1) and compressed air is delivered from chamber 103 through valves 107 and 108. When the column of liquid comes to rest, there remains in vessel 8 and chamber 103 compressed elastic fluid, which on expanding,

furnishes the energy to drive back thecolumn of liquid in pipe 7.

If the pressure at which air is to be delivered from chamber 103, is less than the pressure at which combustible mixture is to be stored in reservoir 15, the liquid in vessel 8 may not at first rise to the level of valve 12, since before this occurs the flow is mainly into chamber 103, from which air is being delivered. When the rising liquid shuts ,valve 107 the increase of pressure which occurs due to the further movement of the liquid will cause a higher pressure in 8, and 103 and consequently more combustible mixture will be forced from vessel 8 through valves 12 and 13 and so give a greater pressure in the reservoir 15. Should it be desired that the delivery pressure from chamber 103, should be greater than that to which the combustible mixture is to be compressed into reservoir 15, the vertical distance between valves 12 and 16 may be so proportioned that on the liquid shutting valve 16 and rising in vessel 8 combustible mixture is delivered into reservoir 15 to the desired pressure at the moment when valve 12 is closed by the liquid reaching it. The continued movement of the column of liquid in pipe 7 then expends its energy mostly in compresslng the air in chamber 103 to the pressure of delivery and delivering air at that pressure, which may now be greater than the pressure which existed when valve 12 was closed. It will be seen at once that the exact manner in which the apparatus works depends upon the relative proportlons, and that by properly choosing these, the desired effects can be obtained, but the principle is the same throughout.

What I claim is p y A 1. The method of utilizing an expans ve force acting upon a body of liquid, wh chv consists in moving liquid by said expansive force, utilizing the movement of the liquid to compress an elastic fluid and introducing part of said elastic fluid to the rear of the moving liquid to cooperate with said expan= sive force. 1

2. The method of utilizing an expansive force acting upon a body of liquid, which consists in moving liquid by said expansive force, utilizing the movement of the liquid to compress an elastic fluid, introducing part of said elastic fluid to the rear of the moving liquid to cooperate with said expansive force, and utilizing a part of said compressed elastic fluid to cause a reverse movement of the liquid.

3. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge acting upon a column of liquid, which con-- column to compress the fresh combustible charge.

4. The method of utilizing 'the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge acting upon a column of liquid, which consists in expanding said charge against the column of liquid causing its outward movement, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic cushion, utilizing the energy stored in said elastic cushion for introducing into a. combustion chamber from separate sources theseveral ingredients of a fresh combustible charge.

5. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge acting upon a column of liquid, which consists in expanding said charge against the column of liquid, causing its outward movement, utilizing said out-ward movement to compress an elastic cushion, utilizing a portion of the energy stored in said elastic cushion for introducing into a combustion chamber from'separate sources the several constituents of a fresh combustible charge,

and utilizing a port-ion of the energy stored to cause a reverse or return movement of the liquid column tocompress said combustible charge.

6. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge acting .upon a column of liquid, which consists- 1n expanding said charge against the column of liquid causing its outward movement utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic cushion, utilizing the energy stored in said elastic cushion for introducing into a combustion chamber from separate sources the several ingredients in measured quantities of a fresh combustible charge.

7. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the energy of said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, said elastic fluid comprising the whole or a constituent of a fresh combustible charge, utilizing the energy stored in said compressed elastic fluid,to introduce a measured portion thereof into a combustion chamber.

8. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the energy of said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, said elastic fluid comprising the whole or a constituent of a fresh combustible charge, utilizing the energy stored in said compressed elastic fluid to introduce a measured portion thereof into a combustion chamber to cooperate with the previously ex-- panded charge, and utilizing a portion of said compressed elastic fluid for reversing the movement of the liquid column to cause the compression of the fresh combustible charge. I

9. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the energy of said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, said elastic fluid comprising the whole or a constituent of a fresh combustible charge, utilizing the energy stored in said compressed elastic fluid for introducing a portion thereof into a combustion chamber and controlling the introduction into the combustion chamber of fresh combustible charges by the pressure in said combustion chamber.

V 10. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid. to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the energy of said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, said elastic fluid comprising the whole or a constituent of a fresh combustible charge, utilizing the energy stored in said compressed elastic fluid for introducing a portion thereof into a combustion chamber and controlling the introduction into the combustion chamber of fresh combustible charges by changes of pressure in said combustion chamber.

force of a compressed combustible charge,

which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a'column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the energy of said outward movement to compress an elastic fiuid, utilizing energy stored in said elastic fluid to introduce fresh combustible charges into a combustion chamber, and utilizing the changes of pressure in the combustion chamber for controlling the introduction of said combustible charge. a

13. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing the out- Ward flow of the liquid to compress an elastic cushion, utilizing part of the energy stored in said elastic cushion to introduce a freshcombustible charge into a combustion chamber, utilizing a part of the energy stored in said elastic cushion for causing a reverse movement of the liquid, utilizing said reverse movement of the liquid to expel burnt products from one chamber and to compress a fresh combustible charge in another chamber.

14. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic cushion, utilizing part of the energy stored in said elastic cushion to introduce a fresh com-. bustible charge into a combustion chamber, utilizing a part of the energy stored in said elastic cushion for causing a reverse movement of the liquid, utilizing said reverse movement of the liquid to expel burnt products from one chamber and to compress a fresh combustible charge in another chamber and utilizing the pressure in combustion chamber to control valves connected therewith.

15. A method of utilizing'the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge,

which consists in expanding the charge in a combustion chamber to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to store energy, utilizing the energy stored to introduce fresh combustible charges and also for causing a reverse flow of the liquid to expel burnt products and compress the fresh charges and utilizing the pressure in the combustion chamber for controlling the inlets thereto and the exit for burnt products.

16. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge in a combustion chamber to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, utilizing the energy stored in the elastic fluid to introduce fresh combustible charges, and to cause a reverse flow of the liquid, and utilizing said reverse flow to introduce fresh elastic fluid.

17. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid introducing a part of said elastic fluid into the combustion chamber, utilizing a part of the energy stored in said elastic fluid to cause the return movement of the liquid and utilizing a movement of the reciprocating column of liquid to entrain fresh liquid.

18. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge,

which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outwardmovement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, introducing a part of said elastic fluid into the combustion chamber, utilizing a part of the energy stored in said elastic fluid to cause a reverse flow of the liquid and utilizing a movement of the reciprocating column of liquid to entrain fresh elastic fluid.

19. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge,

' which consists in expanding the charge'to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement and themomentum thereby acquired to compress an elastic fluid and deliver liquid to a greater head or level, in- Z troducinga part of said elastic fluid into the combustion"chamber, utilizing a part of the energystored in said elastic fluid to cause a reverse flow ofthe liquid and utilizing a movement of the reciprocatmg column of .liquid to entrain fresh elastic fluid.

21. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a, column of liquid to cause the out- Ward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, introducing a part of said elastic fluid into the combustion chamber, utilizing a part of the energy stored in said elastic fluid to cause a reverse flow of the liquid and utilizing a movement of the reciprocating column of liquid to entrain fresh liquid and fresh elastic fluid.

22. The method of utilizing an expansive force acting directly upon a body of liquid which consists in moving liquid by said expansive force to compress an elastic fluid and introducing part of said compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the moving liquid to cooperate with said expansive force.

23. The method of utilizing an expansive forceacting directly upon a body of liquid which consists in moving liquid by said expansive force to compress anel'astic fluid and introducing part of said compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the moving liquid to cooperate with said expansive force,

and separately storing that part of the clastic fluid which is introduced to the rear of said moving column, previous to permitting it to act.

24. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists .in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the out ward movement thereof,-utilizing said out- ;ward movement to discharge from a chamber all, the elastic fluid therein contained except a measured portion and to compress said measured portion.

25. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid and to deliver liquid against a head or pressure, introducing part of the compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outwardly moving liquid and utilizing a part of the compressed elastic fluid to cause a reverse flow of the liquid.

26. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists inexpanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid and to deliver liquid against a head or pressure and to entrain fresh liquid, introducing part of the compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outwardly moving liquid and utilizing a part of the compressed elastic fluid to cause a reverse flow of part of the liquid. V 27. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, said compressed elastic fluid being a combustible mixture or a constituent thereof.

28. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outw ard movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid,

said compressed elastic fluid being a combustible mixture or a constituent thereof and delivering the compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outmoving column.

29. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid, introducing compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outmoving column, controlling the quantity of elastic fluid which is int-roduced behind the outwardly moving liquid by altering the capacity of the receiver into which it is stored under pressure.

30. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a compressed combustible charge, which consists in expanding the charge to actuate a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to compress an elastic fluid,

introducing compressed elastic fluid to the rear of the outmoving column, controlling the quantity of elastic fluid which is introduced behind the outwardly moving liquid by altering the effective capacity of the chamber in which it is compressed.

31. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the movement of liquid, which consists in igniting the charge directly against a column of liquid to cause the outw ard movement thereof, utilizing said :o'utward movement to cause the discharge of'an elastic fluid while the liquid column gains velocity, then compressing a measured remainder of the elastic fluid by the moving column.

32. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the movement of liquid which consists in igniting the charge directly against a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, uti-v lizing said outward movement to cause the discharge of elastic fluid while the liquid column gains velocity, ,then compressing a measured remainder of the elastic fluid by the column, and regulating the amount of elastic fluid compressed at each outstroke of the column.

33. The'method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the movement of'liquid which consists in igniting the charge directly against a column of liquid to cause'the outward movement thereof .utilizing said outward movement to causethe discharge of elastic fluid while the liquid column gains velocity, then compressing a measured remainder of the elastic fluid by the column, and regulating the amount of elastic fluid compressed at each outstroke of the column by changing the position of the outlet valve.

34. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the movement of liquid which consists in igniting the charge directly against a column of liquid to cause the outward movement thereof, utilizing said outward movement to cause the discharge of elastic fluid while the movement of the liquid column gains velocity, then compressing a measured remainder of the elastic fluid by the column, and utilizing a portion of the energy stored in the compressed elastic fluid to cause a reverse movement of the column to entrain fresh elastic fluid.

35. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the moving of liquid which consists in the following steps, (1) ignition of a fresh combustible charge, followed by the expansion and the outward propulsion of a column of liquid (2) discharge of elastic fluid by the column while the column gains velocity (3) compression of the elastic fluid by the column and delivery of elastic fluid to a receiver from which it is end of the column (4) utilizing the remaining energyof the working stroke and,

the kinetic energy of the column to deliver liquid under pressure (5) utilizing the energy of the remaining compressed elastic fluid to produce an inward flow toward a combustion chamber.

36. The method of utilizing the expansive force of a combustible charge in the moving of liquid which consists in the following steps, (1) ignition of a fresh combustible charge followed by the expansion and the outward propulsion of a column of liquid (2) discharge of elastic fluid by the column while the column gains velocity (3) compression of the elastic fluid by the column and delivery of elastic fluid to a receiver from which it is allowed to act upon the combustion chamber end of the column (4) utilizing the remaining energy of the working stroke and the kinetic energy of the column to deliver liquid under pressure (5) utilizing the energy of the remaining compressed elastic fluid to deliver other elastic fluid against which it is allowed to act upon the combusa pressure. tion chamber end of the column (4 utilizing 37. The method of utilizing the expansive the remaining energy of the working stroke 15 force of a combustible charge in the moving and the kinetic energy of the column to de- 5 of liquid which consists in the following liver liquid under pressure (5) utilizing the steps, (1) ignition of a fresh combustible energy of the remaining compressed elastic charge followed by the expansion and the fluid, to deliver both elastic fluid and liquid outward propulsion of a column of liquid against a pressure; a (2) discharge of elastic fluid of the column HERBERT ALFRED HUMPHREY.

10 while the column gains velocity (3) compres- Witnesses: r

- sion of the elastic fluid by the column and de-. JOSEPH MILLARD, livery of elastic fluid to a receiver from W. J. SKERTEN.

caplet of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. C. 

